Thailand’s exports of fashion clothing this year are expected to grow stronger, thanks to sponsorships at this year's Olympic Games in China and increasing demand in the world market.

The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, set to kick off in August, will benefit Thailand since the country is the world's top sportswear production base. Thailand however expects increased purchase orders for sportswear on the world market to increase moderately, said Kathathong Thongyai, director of Thailand's Department of Export Promotion’s (DEP) Product Development and Value-Adding Office.

Thai fashion exports totaled $275 million in the first month of this year, up 6.11 percent from the same month of 2007. The key global destinations for the exports are the United States, France, and Japan, which represent 60 percent of the total. Hong Kong and Finland are seen as new markets with significant growth potential.